‘Goosebumps’ (2023) Recap: ‘Give Yourself Goosebumps’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Isa Briones, Will Price, Miles McKenna, Zack Morris, and Ana Yi Puig as Margot, Lucas, James, Isaiah, and Isabelle in Episode 107 of ‘Goosebumps’ (2023) – ‘Give Yourself Goosebumps’. (Photo Courtesy of David Astorga/Disney.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Goosebumps’ (2023). To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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For the most part, horror stories follow pretty standard formulas when the hero or heroes of the story are trapped in a place that could bring them great harm. In that, they either find a way to lure the monster into where it trapped them so they can trap it and escape, or they figure out the weakness of the trap that surrounds them. So, they can get out with the monster being none the wiser and fight back and bring the story to a glorious close, and well… those formulas work, and that’s why they stick around. Because they entertain and engage and add chills and thrills. But every once in a while, you run into a horror story that wants to break those conventions to surprise us and up the ante, and Goosebumps (2023) on Disney+ happens to be one of those stories.
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For ‘Give Yourself Goosebumps’ took us in a vastly different direction regarding this old problem. For the kids came to discover that Biddle had trapped them within the pages of the journal by telling them the story of how he came to hurt, and that in turn, meant they had to figure out how to escape the horrors of this place, this void. Which at first, didn’t go well. Because every single exit, led to darkness or nothing, and that left them all wondering how they could escape, and their spirits were lowered further on the matter by the arrival of Mister Bratt’s consciousness. Which was trapped here as well, and since he hadn’t escaped… well it seemed there was no hope for them ever seeing their families or their lives again. 

But Isabella came to learn that they needed to watch the darkness carefully, for it had its own clues and secrets and that helped her to discover, a light. One that seemed to lead to a way out of this nightmare, and that made it seem as though… formula was in play. But when she arrived in this other world, it turned out to be nothing but a disaster. For it was just an echo of Port Lawrence High when Biddle was a student there, and in its darkened halls, were all the souls that Biddle and Slappy claimed in the name of evil. Which meant, there was no escape here, just darkness and worry, and that prompted a rescue from her friends and sunk them further. For it really seemed as though, Harold had them through and through, and getting out would be impossible.

Thankfully though, a mistake during the rescue, sparked hope again. Simply because Mister Bratt discovered that pain here, let him roam about the world in his body briefly. Which gave everyone the idea that perhaps inflicting great pain, meant he could take control of his body long enough… to write the kids, and himself out of the journal, giving them all freedom and a chance to stop Biddle before it was too late. But despite being able to gain more control and see what was happening in the world, Bratt kept losing control since Biddle had so much power. Which led to more beatings and more slivers of hope, all for naught. Because just when it seemed that Bratt could save them all, Biddle through the journal out of the car both minds were driving, into a puddle no less. Which might destroy the world our heroes are trapped in.

All of which made, for a lovely and unconventional horror tale. Where the heroes made minimal progress and found themselves in deeper trouble, and that was refreshing to see. Because it truly tossed those tropes out of the window and informed us of how long Biddle has thought about his plans and how best to execute him. Making him a formidable and strong opponent that has assets everywhere and he will be tough to beat. But what mattered more, is that we were treated to a story filled with surprises and truly… we are left worried regarding our heroes. Because no good can come of their current situation and we will now be waiting with bated breath to see if they can escape the hell that Biddle has made for them, or if more unconventional surprises await us. Until next time.

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